Therapeutic appliance



June 19, 1945.

W. B. RUPE THERAPEUTIC PPLIANCE Filed Dec. V11, 1944 'Patented June 19,4 1945A` nUNITED STATES PATENT y OFFICE K "M .2,378,795 rninsrnu'rrc APBLIANGE s 7 wiliiamnndpeneuisviue, Ky. .Applieatien December 11, 1,944, serial No. '567,599 vsclaims. (o1. 12srei This invention relates to a therapeutic vappli-2 ance and it is primarilyan objectof the invention to provide `an appliance `oftl:nfskind for use in connection `with the penis to serve `as ay urinal check in cases of uncontrolled kidneys andwhich also may be used to impart rigidity to the` organ and to maintain such rigidity to facilitatetreatment of theorgan. i i s L `It is also an object of the invention to provide an appliance of this kind which may beapplied without injury and whereinthe appliance embod-` ies a cushioned structure for effective engagement when applied. s s s i The inventionconsists in the details of construction and` in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of `my improved therapeutic appliance whereby certain important ad-` vantages are attained and the articleirendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as `.will be hereinafter more fully set forth. i

' ..'I\he novel features of myinvention will hereinafterbe definitely claimed. I s

In order that my invention may be thebetter understood, I `will now "proceed .to"describe the 4same with reference tothe accompanying fdrawing, Wherein` a, i i

Figure 1 isa view partly in longitudinal section and partly in elevation of a therapeutic appliance constructed in ,accordance with, an embodiment of the invention, an expanded position ofthe `cap member being indicated by broken lines;`

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the general'assembly;`

the `openings 2.

member C. These series of openings f3`aresubstantially equidistantly spaced from theopenings 2 and theaopenings 3 of one` series are substantially diametricallyopposed to the openings `3 ofthe second series. Each series of` openings 3are `of i equal number and are staggered with respect to Corresponding `openings 3 are substantially` lcircumferentially alined and" each` pair of such alined openings 3 are positioned substantially midway of a pair of adjacentfopenings 2. 1 i. l

Disposed through the bore of the coremember C is a predetermined number of telescopicallyV assembled sleeves 4 of soft rubber or kindred elastic material. These sleeves 4 initially are ci a length materially in excess` of the length" of the core member C so that after the Sleeves 4 areinserted through the vcore member C. the opposite `end portions of each of the `sleeves v4 can be returned to overlie; the outside of .the core `rnemberC with the free lextremities of thesleeve 4 vulcanized one to the other. i

These sleeves 4 a're loose with respect to the core member` C so that said sleeves 4 and more particularly the innermost of said sleeves wil1 have no adherence to the core `member C but, on` the contrary, the sleeves 4 will-be free to have travel through the `core member `C after the fashion of anendless belt. This `,action is important as it facilitates the `application of the appliance `vvithout injury to the organ.

Beforethe innermost sleevev 4 has its extremities united by vulcanization,` the container, as vafforded by said innermost sleeve"4 is filled with Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially 35 fluid which readily circulates through he @en on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; and I Figure `4 is an enlargedsectional view taken longitudinally through the meeting edges of the sleeves.`

In the embodiment of the invention` as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, C denotes a core member which is of rubber or kindred yieldable material. Y This member C is tubular and open at both ends with its wall I ofmaterial thickness. While the member C possesses a certain degree of s inherent flexibility, it normally maintains a substantially cylindrical form.` i i The wall l of the member C is provided therealong witha series of openings 2 which are substantially equidistantly spaced and alined in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the member C. In the present embodiment of the invention, these openings 2 are of an unequal number andat opposite sides thereof are the series of openings `3 also alined lengthwise of the ings Zand Bof the `coreimember C and such `fluid is of a quantityitoi maintain the sleeves 4I expanded whereby is provideda cushion,` particularly internally of the core member C, which directly engages the organ when the appliance is in use. The cushion engagement exerts sufficient pressure to provide an effective check for those having uncontrollable kidneys and also serves to create and maintain effective rigidity of the organ when conditions require to aid in treatment.

To facilitate the placing of theappliance, an'

a surrounding retractile member 5 preferably .ai` rubber band at the open end or face thereof. `This* band is of such size to assure requisite contracpliance by a digit of the hand. This threading can be effective either befre or after the cap member has been applied.

After the appliance has been properly placed, which is at the lower part of the organ, the ai)- plied cap member M can be conveniently removed upon expansion of the retractile member or band 5. f

From the foregoing description it is. believed `to be obvious that a therapeutic appliance constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and used, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification Without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: f

1. A therapeutical appliance comprising a ,tu- :bular core member open at both ends, a sleeve loosely threaded through the core member and having its opposite end portions returned to overlie the exterior of the core member, means for hermetically Connecting the extremities of the sleeve, and a fluid lller within the sleeve.

2. A therapeutical appliance comprising a tubular lcore member open at both ends, a sleevev loosely threaded through the core member and having its opposite end portions returned to over lie the exterior of the core member, means for hermetically connecting the extremities of the sleeve, and a fluid ller within the sleeve, said sleeve being free to move through the core member,

3. A therapeutical appliance comprising a tu-y bular core member open at iboth ends, a sleeve having its opposite end portions returned to overlie the exterior of the core member, means for hermetically connecting the extremities of the sleeve, said sleeve being free to move through the core member and said core member having its having itsopposite end portions returned to overlie lthe exterior of the core member, means for hermetically connecting the extremities of the sleeve, saidsleeve being free to move through the core member and said core member having `its Wall provided with openings,` said openings "being'arranged in series, the opening of each se-v ries being disposed lengthwise of the core member.

6. vA therapeutical appliance comprising a tuibular core member open at both ends, a sleeve loosely threaded-through the core member and having its opposite end portions returned to overlieuthe exterior ofA the core member, means for hermetically connecting the extremities of the sleeves, said sleeves being free to move through the core member and said core member having its wall provided with openings, said openings being arranged in series, the opening of each series being disposed lengthwise of the core member, said series of openings being three innumber,'with two series substantially diametrically opposed and the third series substantially central of the said two series. f -r '7. A therapeutical appliance comprising a tubular core member open at both ends, a sleeve loosely threaded through the core member and having its opposite end portions returned to overlie the exterior of the Icore member, means for hermetically connecting the extremities of the sleeves, said sleeves being free to Ymove through the core member'andsaid core member having its wall provided with openings, said openings being varranged in series, the opening of each lseries be- ,wall of which being compressible and anapplicator including a cap member the open end of which being retractile, and an'elongated flexible member for threading through the tubular member.

` WILLIAM B'. RUPE. 

